Bailey overcomes simian scars

As with all England touring sides, we have bolstered our ranks with the news that Steve Bailey will be available for the three matches in Mumbai. Bailey, in form on the back of ducks in both outings in 2006, refused to join the early part of the trip to nortern India after an incident in 1979 where he was mugged by a gang of monkeys at the Taj Mahal. “I was young, bowlheaded and unschooled in the harsh realities of simian pugilism in which apparently the Queensberry rules do not apply,” Bailey explained. “The emotional scars have largely healed. I achieved some closure by revisiting the scene of the attack in 2005, but I still have an irrational fear of PG tips and was unable to watch Planet of the Apes (although that may have been because it was crap).”

How not to tour

It might seem that our tours just happen, but there is considerable behind-the-scenes work. To date, we have been fortunate in that we have played all the matches we have been scheduled to play, with the exception of the rain-blighted Sri Lanka tour. But this report in The Wisden Cricketer of a trip to Antigua by Shepherd’s Bush CC highlights how things can go wrong … and their itinerary was almost identical to ours. It might be harsh, but I would suggest that our extra attention to detail and making sure we forged links with the right people paid off.

Mac on the mend

We are pleased to report that John McDermott is making good progress after hip replacement surgery on January 8. The operation went well and Mac is recuperating at home and doesn't expect to be out and about for several weeks.

Treading the boards

Alarming news comes from deepest Hampshire where veteran Richard Seeckts is appearing in pantomime as the Prime Minister in Sleeping Beauty at his local church hall. Seven of the eight nights are sold out and Seeckts claimed to have given up alcohol while “in rep”.

Cricinfo signed as kit sponsor

We are pleased to announce that we have agreed a deal with Cricinfo, the world’s No. 1 cricket website with an audience of 40 million, for them to be the shirt sponsors for the India tour.

Welcome ...

Welcome to the new blog for the Old Cranleighan Cricket Club. While this is not aimed to replace the main website, it is hoped that member can use this as a way for others within the club to give their opinions on anything they want. Within reason.

Abeed misses out

Unfortunately Abeed Janmohamed missed out on selection for the Kenya squad for the one-day series in Mombasa and the World Cricket League, but he remains with the Kenya A squad and is still not ruled out of a place in the World Cup squad.

Blogging across India

The 17-day tour of India gets underway on February 22 and full coverage will appear here throughout (internet connections and alcohol permitting) so keep up with your loved ones via the blog.

The tour to India

The itinerary for the fifth major OCCC tour to India has now been almost finalised and includes six matches, the most we have ever undertaken on a trip.

We leave for Delhi on February 22, where we play one match, and from there head to Chandigarh in the north where we visit a bat factory and then play a match on the second-highest ground in the world, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Then comes what we have come to know as the Rick part of the trip – relaxation and little cricket – in Goa where we only venture onto the field once, and that in a gentle game against a local brewery side.

From Goa we head to Mumbai (Bombay), a city of 13 million, for the business-end of the trip with three games in four days, including one at the Braebourne Stadium, the venue of the recent Champions Trophy final and until 1974 the city’s major Test venue. We will also be staying at the Cricket Club of India, a remarkable hotel which overlooks the cricket ground and where all Test sides used to be accommodated.

The intention is that the tour will be covered using this blog.